Renginio aprašymą lietuvių kalba raskite paspaudę mygtuką:
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION FORUM
Tech for Tomorrow: Empowering Social Change through Innovation
9 September 2024
Vilnius
Climate change, increasing social inequality, demographic changes, security threats, and global health crises are the challenges we are facing every day. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine lasting more than two years now and the energy and economic crises have exacerbated the situation and led to the understanding that we need to strengthen our civil societies, promote inclusion, reduce poverty, and boost our resilience.
In today’s fast-changing world with its many challenges, it is crucial to explore ways of applying technologies to tackle social and environmental issues. In response to the urgent need to harness technology in addressing emerging crises, this year’s Social Enterprise and Innovation Forum will bring together representatives from various fields to discuss these matters and inspire the leaders of change to create technological innovation. This event also gives an excellent opportunity to engage in an open dialogue with policy makers about the immediate action that can be taken to empower social business in the nearest future, thus contributing to Lithuania’s international commitments in the implementation of the European Social Economy Action Plan.
The Social Enterprise and Innovation Forum will also contribute to bringing the social and the technology ecosystems closer together, unlocking their potential to address current challenges more creatively and effectively. Such synergy will not only contribute to a more sustainable and more equitable world but also ensure that the technological progress of our time leads to positive changes in our societies.
Holding Social Enterprise and Innovation Forum at the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania is an important tradition, for it allows to directly involve policy makers in conversations about the vital role of social business and technological innovations as well as to strengthen the political will to support such initiatives. Parliament is a place where policies are made and key decisions are taken. Therefore an event hosted within its premises offers a platform for an open dialogue, raising awareness and increasing involvement of the public and business community. Finally, this event is also an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the outgoing Parliament and to outline the road map for the next political cycle after the Seimas election this autumn.
The event, held under the auspices of Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, is co-organised by the Lithuanian Social Business Association and the Seimas Committee on Economics, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, Innovation Agency Lithuania, the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania, the Parliamentary Forum for Democracy, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum, Lithuanian Innovation Centre, Hub Innovazione Trentino, Grünhof e.V. – Social Responsibility Association, Trentino Social Tank, the Lithuanian National Radio and Television, and other partners.
PROGRAMME
The event is held in a hybrid format. Venue: online and the Constitution Hall, Building 1 of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania (Gedimino pr. 53, Vilnius).
9.00–9.30 | Registration |
9.30–9.40 | Welcome address: H.E. Ms Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania |
9.40–10.10 | Opening of the Forum and introductory speeches:
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10.10–11.25 | SESSION I. ROLE OF INSTITUTIONS AND NECESSARY CONDITIONS FOR A STRONGER SOCIAL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM Description: This session will explore how social business and innovation contribute to economic growth and help address societal challenges, particularly during the crises of the latest decades. We will discuss the role that the represented institutions and organisations can play in enhancing the social business ecosystem as well as the political, economic, and legal conditions which have to be established for the sector to flourish. The presentations and interventions will focus on practical steps and strategies to foster sustainable and resilient growth of social business.
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11.25-11.40 | Coffee break |
11.40–13.00
| SESSION II. PARTICIPATORY OPEN SOCIAL INNOVATION THROUGH INTERLINKING VALUABLE ECOSYSTEMS Description: This session will discuss the ways in which social innovation and technology innovation ecosystems can be brought together to address the most pressing societal challenges more effectively. It will focus on the means to enhance cross-sectoral cooperation using the state-of-the-art technology and social innovations. The issues of combining the two ecosystems as well as the policy measures, financing strategies, and technological innovations that can create favourable conditions for this synergy will also be discussed.
Moderator: Dr Mantas Vilys,Director of the Lithuanian Innovation Centre |
13.00–14.10 | Lunch break |
14.10–15.30 | SESSION III. BEST PRACTICES: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN TECH AND SOCIAL INNOVATION This session will focus on the best practices in bridging the gap between tech and social ecosystems and on the integration of digital technologies with a view to tackling societal and environmental challenges. Experts will present successful case studies highlighting innovative solutions and discuss methods for identifying and implementing best practices across various sectors. Attendees will learn how to tailor these practices to their specific contexts, measure their impact, and overcome common challenges. The session aims to equip participants with actionable knowledge to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and positive change within their organisations and communities through the synergy of technology and social innovation.
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15.30–16.00 | Coffee break |
16.00–17.15 | PANEL DISCUSSION This panel discussion will bring together policy makers, social enterprise leaders, business innovators, academic experts and media representatives to explore the necessary steps and immediate actions required to empower social enterprises and impact innovators in solving the most pressing challenges. Panellists will share their insights on creating a supportive policy environment, highlight successful policy interventions, and discuss the role of technology in driving social innovation. The session will showcase best practices from different sectors, highlighting how collaborative efforts between social enterprises and technology can effectively address societal and environmental challenges.
Moderator: Ms Julija Jermakova, Deputy Chair of the Board of the Lithuanian Social Business Association |
17.15–17.30 | SUMMARY AND THE CLOSING SESSION Summary of the discussion results and policy recommendations for further action.
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The number of In-person participants at the event hosted by the Parliament of Lithuania is limited. Your registration will be confirmed in due time subject to availability.
For more information contact – kristupas.b@lisva.org
This activity is part of the project G-A-L-I-U’24 (skills-representation-leadership-innovation-employment) aimed at strengthening the Lithuanian Social Business Association, funded by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania and the international project POSITIVE (“Participatory Open Social Innovation Through Interlinking Valuable Ecosystems”), under the European Union’s Horizon Europe program. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s)/speaker(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Event organisers
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